10 Best Anime Movies of All Time That Fans Would Definitely Love to Explore

Over the period, storytelling was not only limited to manga and anime series but elaborated its unique depiction of emotional depth through movies. There is no denying that the impact of these movies, which glorified Japanese folklore clearly shows the imagination of the creators. From the breathtaking fantasy of Studio Ghibli to the epic battles of Demon Slayer and Black Clover’s Wizard King, each piece has a mesmerizing essence.

Starting from the old school Pokémon, explore every possible movie that cheers up your inner child. These movies offer something for everyone, quality over quantity. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back

• Genre: Fantasy | Adventure | Science-fiction
• Ratings: 6.3 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 16% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 35% ( Metacritic )
• Created By: Kunihiko Yuyama ( Director )
• Studio: OLM, Inc. (formerly known as Shogakukan Production)
• Runtime: 1h 36m
• Box Office Collection: $163 million worldwide

A big-screen adaptation of the Pokémon franchise enclosed a new genetically powerful Psychic-type Pokémon: Mewtwo. For a Pokemon movie, its storyline is pretty deep, indicating the darker side of humankind for power. Mewtwo used his psychic powers to capture Ash, Misty, and Brock, along with their Pokémon, to prove Pokémon should be superior to humans. The story enfolds questions about genetic engineering, the meaning of life, and the ethics of cloning.

[ Also Read: 10 Most loved anime characters of this year 2024 ]

2. Spirited Away

• Genre: Supernatural Fantasy | Adventure | Coming-of-Age
• Ratings: 8.6 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 96% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 96% ( Metacritic )
• Created By: Hayao Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 2h 4m
• Box Office Collection: $395.8 million

Spirited Away follows the 10-year-old girl Chihiro, whose family shifted to a new suburban home in a village cum town. This village is connected to the spirit realm through a mysterious tunnel. Unfortunately, her parents turned into pigs, and from there, the adventure begins, of Chihiro to Sen of Yubaba Witch’s Bathhouse, and back into the human world. This is the first Japanese anime in history, to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, making it a must-watch.

3. Kiki’s Delivery Service

• Genre: Fantasy | Family | Iyashikei
• Ratings: 7.8 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 98% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 5/5 ( Common Sense Media )
• Created By: Hayao Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 1h 43m
• Box Office Collection: $41.8 million

While following the tradition of the witch world, Kiki left home with her cat Jiji, to learn more about life, responsibilities, and how to be on oneself. Kiki shifted to the seaside town of Koriko in Europe and started a high-flying delivery service. Her journey is an example of true independence, growth, self-discovery, and the will to survive at any cost. The themes of Miyazaki’s animation made this movie to be everlasting in the audience.

[ Also Read: Top 10 Studio Ghibli Movies: Guide to Magical Worlds ]

4. My Neighbor Totoro

• Genre: Fantasy | Family | Iyashikei
• Ratings: 8.1 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 94% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 5/5 ( Common Sense Media )
• Created By: Hayao Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 1h 26m
• Box Office Collection: $30,476,708 worldwide

“My Neighbor Totoro” has become a cultural icon, loved by audiences of all ages, even Totoro became a mascot of Studio Ghibli. Miyazaki’s adaptation of Wonderland follows the story of two sisters ( Satsuki and Mei ) who move to the countryside ( because of their ill mother ) with their father. While exploring the new hometown, Satsuki and Mei found a cute, cuddly forest spirit Totoro. Due to the ongoing rain, the sisters offer an umbrella to Totoro, and in return, he becomes their friend and protector. Despite, not having a villain, this movie is one of the most comforting movies ever.

5. Ponyo

• Genre: Sea Adventure | Comedy | Iyashikei
• Ratings: 7.6 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 91% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 4/5 ( Common Sense Media )
• Created By: Hayao Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 1h 41m
• Box Office Collection: ¥3.4 billion; (US$34 million)

A cute tale of a goldfish princess who wants to be human because she fell in love with a boy, Sousuke. It’s something similar to Western movies inspired by mermaids or sea creatures. The story follows the friendship of Sousuke and Princess Ponyo’s adventure in this new world beyond her expectations.

6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train

• Genre: Historical Drama | Supernatural | Horror
• Ratings: 8.2 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 98% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 82% ( Metacritic )
• Created By: Koyoharu Gotouge
• Studio: Ufotable
• Runtime: 1h 57m
• Box Office Collection: $507.1 million

Moving on to recent hits, Demon Slayer: Mugan Train is a powerhouse in the anime series. This series shattered all the records for gross sales. The film opens up with Tanjiro moving on to another mission after his rehabilitation training at Butterfly Mansion, to deal with a demon residing on the train. The whole journey of the Mugan train ends with the death of a demon and top-rank flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Must watch because it opens a new perspective to anime series, with the possibility that Tanjiro will take revenge on Muzan in upcoming arcs.

[ Also Read: “Demon Slayer” Season 4, Episode 7 – Recap and Highlights ]

7. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

• Genre: Martial Arts | Adventure | Fantasy
• Ratings: 7.1 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 4.7/5 ( Crunchyroll ) | 65% ( Metacritic )
• Created By: Akira Toriyama
• Studio: Toei Animation
• Runtime: 1h 40m
• Box Office Collection: $102.5 million

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the latest creativity of the Dragon Ball franchise. This movie is notable for its unique animation and emphasis on exploring classic characters: Gohan, Piccolo, Bulma, and Krillin. It delivered comedy with intense action between The Red Ribbon Army androids and Gohan along with Piccolo. The whole movie is a Rollercoaster of Dragon Ball Saga which differentiates it from other movies.

[ Also Read: Dragon Ball Film’s $124 Win: Despite Secret Snips ]

8. Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King

• Genre: Comedy | Adventure | Fantasy
• Ratings: 7.4 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 100% ( Rotten Tomatoes )
• Created By: Yūki Tabata
• Studio: Studio Pierrot
• Runtime: 1h 50m
• Box Office Collection: $6.0 million

Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is one of the movies where the theme incredibly entails epic battles, and fresh dynamics between every character, and entirely captivates the narrative. The plot resides in a magic realm where an ordinary boy Asta aims to be Wizard King despite having no special power to save his dear friends.

9. Jujutsu Kaisen 0

• Genre: Supernatural Drama | Adventure | Mystery
• Ratings: 7.8/10 ( IMDb ) | 98% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 4.9/5 ( Crunchyroll )
• Created By: Gege Akutami
• Studio: MAPPA
• Runtime: 1h 45m
• Box Office Collection: $196.2 million

This movie is a prequel to the “Jujutsu Kaisen” series where Yuuta Okkotsu entered Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School through Jujutsu Sorcerers to control his violent spirit sweetheart Rika. But his destiny Satoru Gojou, has different plans for him. As he progresses in Jujutsu arts, acknowledges much more than his expectations about wicked spirits. After all, the action depicted in the movie illustrates how this movie fills the void of the main series.

[ Also Read: Manga “Jujutsu Kaisen” has completed its journey of 6 years, with final Chapter 271. ]

10. Howl’s Moving Castle

• Genre: Supernatural Fantasy | Adventure Epic | Family
• Ratings: 8.2 / 10 ( IMDb ) | 88% ( Rotten Tomatoes ) | 82% ( Metacritic )
• Created By: Hayao Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 1h 59m
• Box Of Collection: ¥23.2 billion; US$236 million (worldwide)

It is a story of love, war, and self-discovery of Young Sophie Halter who is under the curse of rapid aging by the Witch of Waste (Madame Suliman). To end the curse, she joined as house help in moving castle uphills of young, handsome witch Howl. When she befriends with fire demon Calcifer, both discuss their curses and deal to find a way to free Calcifer from Howl’s curse in exchange for her curse’s solution. Another masterpiece of Miyazaki’s, that delves into awe-inspiring hand-drawn animation and captivating magical experience of characters.

[ Also Read: The 10 Best Anime Villains of All Time]

Conclusion

From the nostalgic classics of Studio Ghibli like Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle to recent blockbusters Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the world of anime is filled with incredible creations to explore. Each storyline either gives you unrealistic pleasure in your mind or may correlate to your reality at some point. These 10 movies are not only entertaining but make you feel your courage, growth, and the human spirit to not give up.

Which anime movie hits your nostalgia, and drives you back to childhood? Let us know which recommendation you would like us to explore in the future. Till then, enjoy these cinematic masterpieces.